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Department of Finance


Climb higher with a hands-on education that equips you to be successful in Finance. Finance is the art and science of managing money. Financial managers play a critical role in the process of raising and spending money, whether it is in a corporate, government, or personal setting. Award winning student organizations provide students with a strong community, valuable industry insight, and open doors for internships and jobs. Find your program in Finance today!

WKU Finance students benefit from:

  • Hands-on Learning
  • Student-Centered Faculty
  • Limited Class Sizes
  • State-of-the-art technology

We also offer many activities which prepare students for success beyond the classroom.  Students have an opportunity to get involved with student organizations, student success initiatives, professional development activities, the PEAK program, and our Center for Financial Success.  

 

WKU professor talks to students in class.

Find Your Program
in the Department of Finance

Business Finance, Bachelor of Science

The Business Finance major focuses on decisions within corporations and financial institutions.

The Business Finance major offers 4 concentrations:

  • Investment
  • Analyst
  • Financial Services
  • General

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Program Requirements

 

Personal Financial Planning, Bachelor of Science

The Personal Financial Planning major concentrates on the various aspects of personal financial planning including investing, personal budgeting, tax planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and insurance.

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Program Requirements

Finance, Minor

The Finance minor at WKU complements other majors in the Gordon Ford College of Business and other colleges at the university. The Finance program offers courses that foster a robust understanding of financial concepts and their application to decision making for businesses and individuals. Financial skills and knowledge are needed for one’s personal financial decision making and across units of corporations, not-for-profits, or governments. Students gain knowledge on core topics such as investing, budgeting and planning, as well as insight into capital markets. Students pursuing the minor are encouraged to participate in the various activities facilitated  by the department including day trips, attending conferences, student advisement in the Center for Financial Success, and by attending meetings of the Financial Management Association (Business Finance) and the Financial Planning Association (Personal Financial Planning).

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Program Requirements

Financial Planning, Certificate

The Personal Financial Planning Certificate is a perfect complement to other majors in which personal financial advice might be given -- such as accounting, marketing and social work. In addition, psychologists can often benefit from a thorough knowledge of personal financial planning, given the importance of financial decisions in everyday life and the stressors inadequate financial planning can cause. Also, future educators may use the Certificate as a basis for teaching personal finance courses in secondary schools. 

If you desire to form strong relationships and provide counseling to others on their important financial decisions and investments, the Financial Planning Certificate may be right for you.   

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Program Requirements

 

Accredited Financial Counselor, Certificate

WKU’s Accredited Financial Counselor certificate program is designed to fulfill the educational requirements of the Accredited Financial Counselor® certification, awarded following passage of a separate test by the AFCPE. The program prepares individuals to: (1) educate clients in sound financial principles; (2) assist clients in the process of overcoming their financial indebtedness; (3) help clients identify and modify ineffective money management behaviors; (4) guide clients in developing successful strategies for achieving their financial goals; (5) support clients as they work through their financial challenges and opportunities; and (6) help clients develop new perspectives on the dynamics of money in relation to family, friends and individual self-esteem. While the certificate is a great supplement to many other majors, it is especially valuable for students majoring in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, and Education. The certificate requires (at most) nine additional semester hours and adds a suite of skills that seamlessly complements the training students are receiving in their major. The AFC® certification also requires 1,000 hours of relevant financial counseling experience, three letters of reference, and adherence to a code of ethics.

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Program Requirements

Three WKU students walk and talk in front of Grise Hall.


Student Organizations

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Student Advising


  • 270-745-2018
  • finance@wku.edu
  • Department of Finance
    Grise Hall 334
    1906 College Heights Blvd. #21061
    Bowling Green, KY 42101-1059

Join us in our mission to provide state of the art education and training for the next generation of financial managers and financial advisors.

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9

Full-Time Faculty

100%

Faculty have a terminal degree and/or professional certification

30

Average Finance class size

4

Faculty with CFP® certification

2000+

Alumni


TVA
TVA Investment Challenge
Program

Learn to design and implement investment strategies through a hands-on, real world portfolio management experience.

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Center for Financial Success
Center for Financial Success
GFCB Center of Excellence

We aspire to be a primary and coordinating resource to aid the university and regional community in becoming financially informed.

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CFA team visiting Yum Corporation
Internships & Externships
Gain real world experience

Internships/Externships are key to building experience as a student. Employers are more likely to hire someone with experience. 

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wku student in New York
Professional Development
Career Readiness

The learning process goes beyond the classroom when students attend conferences/field trips and network with professionals. 

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AACSB Accredited

The Gordon Ford College of business is a top business school with dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting programs.


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 Last Modified 2/21/24